Who's been sending unwanted Amazon packages?

Published 9:11 pm, Wednesday, February 21, 2018

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They didn't order it, but for some reason, numerous Amazon packages have been delivered to a Massachusetts home.

Media: WCVB

Waves of products shipped from Amazon.com and its partners -- including sex toys -- have been showing up on the doorsteps of people who didn't order them, and the Seattle-based retailer says it doesn't know what to make of the phenomenon.

Amazon's continuing quest to sell you everything has apparently extended to cars.

Amazon's continuing quest to sell you everything has apparently extended to cars.

Photo: Amazon

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It's not quite what it seems. Rather than being able to buy your car right on Amazon, the promotion has you fill out a form so a local dealer can contact you. Still, this got us thinking about some of the odd things that really are for sale on Amazon.

We're not talking about such obviously goofy items as unicorn meat and uranium ore. Rather, here are things that serve a useful purpose, for someone. less

It's not quite what it seems. Rather than being able to buy your car right on Amazon, the promotion has you fill out a form so a local dealer can contact you. Still, this got us thinking about some of the odd ... more

a while back that Amazon's free two-day shipping for Prime members extended to such items as a 1,509-pound safe. That safe is currently unavailable, but you can get free shipping on this 925-pound safe.

Speaking of sex, we're thinking leg shackles would be a functional item, though best kept between you and your loved one. But they're advertised as a "great home decor item." Sure, if you're into that sort of thing. less

Speaking of sex, we're thinking leg shackles would be a functional item, though best kept between you and your loved one. But they're advertised as a "great home decor item." Sure, if you're into that sort of ... more

Well, we suppose it's good to practice circumcision on a trainer before attempting the real thing.

Well, we suppose it's good to practice circumcision on a trainer before attempting the real thing.

Photo: Amazon

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Continuing on that theme, castration pliers are, of course, a perfectly reasonable product to buy if you're raising livestock. For the rest of us, however, the idea makes us snicker, or cross our legs.

Continuing on that theme, castration pliers are, of course, a perfectly reasonable product to buy if you're raising livestock. For the rest of us, however, the idea makes us snicker, or cross our legs.

Photo: Amazon

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Finally, looking at this chicken de-feather machine, we can just imagine freshly plucked birds flying out of the chute, ready for roasting.

Finally, looking at this chicken de-feather machine, we can just imagine freshly plucked birds flying out of the chute, ready for roasting.

A senior citizen in Florida became alarmed when she began receiving such things as phone chargers and ear buds;

A woman in Pittsburgh launched into action when she received a $25 sex toy, among other items, and got the police involved when she felt Amazon failed to take her concerns seriously;

A sex toy was also the impetus to file a police report for a Minnesota couple who began receiving parcels for their college-age daughter.

Some theorize that the buyer or buyers, whoever they may be, are trying to game the reviewing system -- either Amazon's or someone else's -- by purchasing goods from their own stores on Amazon, then sending them to random recipients, who then become unwitting but "verified" buyers who leave glowing reviews.

Amazon has thus far denied that its review system can be manipulated this way, but the company also has failed to explain why packages are being sent to people who are concerned with what the practice means for their privacy.

It's "part of some bad behavior that we are investigating," an Amazon spokesperson told The Daily Beast.

"We are investigating inquiries from consumers who have received unsolicited packages as this would violate our policies," Amazon said in a statement. "We have confirmed the sellers involved did not receive names or shipping addresses from Amazon."

Until the mystery is solved, at least one recipient of the unwanted parcels is showing a sense of humor about it.

"I've seen all these other reports now, and all of these other people are saying they got these really cool gadgets," the woman from Pittsburgh told The Daily Beast. "I'm like, 'Why didn't I get one of those?' At least send me the Bluetooth speaker to go along with the cord."